What does accountability mean in nursing?

Accountability with respect to nursing means that nurses are answerable to themselves and to others. The shroud of accountability covers judgments and decisions that nurses make as well as directions they follow from others.

Often, nurses make independent decisions that affect the care of their patient. Based on a written and unwritten code of moral and legal ethics, these decisions hopefully have good patient outcomes. In the event that negative events transpire, nurses must be accountable for the decisions they have made that affect the well-being of a patient. Accountability is a step up from responsibility, as it is being answerable to all actions taken while caring for patients.